Burying the Two-State Solution: Smotrich's Controversial "E1" Expansion Plan

In a highly controversial move, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has greenlit the construction of over 3,400 new settlement units in a strategic area near Jerusalem known as "E1". The decision, first reported by Israel's Channel 12, represents a significant blow to the prospect of establishing a viable Palestinian state.

Smotrich openly stated that the planned settlement expansion in this crucial area "buries the idea of a Palestinian state". The strategic importance of the "E1" area lies in its location, which effectively separates the northern and southern parts of Jerusalem. Any construction here would create a physical barrier, effectively fragmenting the future Palestinian capital.

In a related development, the official Palestinian news agency "Wafa" reported that Israel has issued six new tenders for settlement construction and expansion. These tenders will facilitate the building of 4,000 new settlement units in the settlements of "Ariel" and "Ma'ale Adumim", both of which are located on occupied land in the Salfit and Jerusalem governorates.

The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission provided further details, explaining that three of the tenders are for the expansion of the "Ariel West" neighborhood, which will add a total of 730 new units. The other three tenders are for the expansion of the "Ma'ale Adumim" settlement, with the most significant one being tender number 320/2025, which aims to build 2,902 new units.

The commission noted that the approval for these plans was granted earlier this year, raising questions about the unusual speed with which the tenders were issued. This rapid process, according to the commission, confirms that the occupation is in a race against time to impose new facts on the ground and sabotage any future political solution. A map accompanying one of the tenders for "Ariel West" shows that the proposed site is more than two kilometers from the original settlement, suggesting that the goal is to establish an entirely new settlement without official announcement.